Welcome to Dalton

Welcome to The

Dalton School

Alittle while ago I traveled with my family to Asia. Every evening, we would talk about the highlights of our day. And every evening, the same pattern would repeat itself: even though we had visited the same sites, eaten at the same restaurants, and walked the same streets, we each had a different sense of what had made the day meaningful. My daughter might have been dazzled by an architectural detail; my older son might have been struck by the public transportation system; my younger son might have loved the sound of conversation on a street corner; my wife might have marveled at a certain social ritual (somehow I was always babbling about the food!). We shared an experience—but we saw it differently. This viewbook is a lot like that trip. If five family members read it, they will each come away with a different impression of the school; they will each find meaning in a different picture, a different quote, a different aspect of Dalton (all of them, however, will probably skip the letter from the Head of School as no one reads that!). In fact, Dalton itself is a lot like that trip. We are an uncommonly strong community that gives members an uncommon amount of freedom to pursue their individual and collective dreams. We study together, we rehearse together, we engage with the city together, we practice and play together—and by listening to each other, and trying to understand each other, and analyzing and celebrating our differences, we expand and deepen our understanding of ourselves, our community, and our world.

If you read this book, or if you visit Dalton, you will find a number of things that are true about us. We were founded in 1919 by Helen Parkhurst, a pioneering figure in progressive education. We are coeducational—because the world is coeducational, and because research and experience have shown us that a coeducational environment is beneficial to all students. Our curriculum adapts to the ambitions of our students and the needs of the wider world. Our culture promotes civic discourse, ethical leadership, and working across intellectual and cultural borders. Our community is committed to equity, inclusion, and innovation.

But of course you will come away with your own impression of Dalton. We are excited to hear about it. For now, I will send you into the book with the charge from our motto: Go forth unafraid.

Jim Best Head of School